Telescoping and folding garment hanger



Jan. 6, 1931. G. F. McGlLL f 1,787,991'

'lizLfFscoPING- AND FOLDING GARMENT HANGER Filed Aug. 29. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 6, 1931. l G. F. McGlLL 1,787,991

I TELESCOPING .AND FOLDING GRMENT HANGER v Filed Aug. 29, 1928 2 sheets-sheet 2 llmmnlluun v lllllllllllll munm-mlu l I Illllllllllllllll'l latented Jan. 6, 193.1

UNITED STATES -M'TENT OFFICE GEORGE F. MCGILL, F MARENGO, ILLINOIS TELESCOPING AND.FOLDING GARMENT HANGER Application led August 29, 1928. Serial No. 302,719.

carried in a pocket, bag, suitcase or other container.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to construct the garment hanger in such a manner that it is extensible and may serve its purpose for garments and apparel of various sizes; in other Words, the hanger is provided with slidable arms or extensions which may be telescopically and frictionally held at any place desired in the main casings of the structure.

Another object of the invention is to secure a strong, durable and rigid structure Without sacrificing the possibility of extension of the outer arms of the holder to any position desired.

It is another object of the invention to construct the holder of light-Weight sheet metal stampings which will be inexpensive to manufacture and which may be readily formed and assembled.

A further object of the invention is to provide the inner end portions of the extension arms Which slide in the main casings of the holder with diverging or laterally eXtend-' ing Wall portions which are constructed in a manner to make them flexible and resilient and permit them to frictionally engage the inner side Walls of the main casings in order to hold Vthe slidable arms at the desired places Within the main casings.

In addition, it is an object of the invention to construct the inner end portions of the extension arms with depending Walls which are formed to Contact with and slide upon inturned bottom wall portions of the main casings in order to increase the frictional resistance'and holding qualities of the extension arms and casings, thereby securing with the diverging or laterally extending Wall pon tions double acting means of the inner end portions of the extension arms in connection with holding and-maintaining theextension arms in the places desired by the user of the hanger. Y

An additional object of the invention is to provide the outer extremities of the exten' s1on arms with means whereby the extension arms may be grasped and moved to the places desired within the casings. j

Because of the adjustable and extension features of the garment hanger, when partly extended it is especially well adapted for use in hanging infants and childrens clothlng, and when fully extended may be used for hanging any garments or apparel.

The invention will be explained and more readily understood When read in conjunction With the accompanying drawings illustrating one embodiment of the invention, but 1t Will be understood that various changes and modifications of which the invention is susceptible may be made Without departing from the spirit of the appended claims forming a part hereof.

In the drawings:

Figure l` is a front elevational view of the folding garment holder, sho-Wing the ends of the extension arms protruding from the outer ends of the main casings and showing by dotted lines one of the arms in extended position.

Figure 2 is 'a top plan view of the holder shown in Figure l.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the holder shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view through one of the pivot connections on the line 4 4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 isa front elevation View showing the holder in folded and compact condition with the extension arms Within the main casings.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the holder as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a top plan View of the holder as shown inA Figure 5. y

Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional View sliowmg principally one of the main casings of the holder and one of the inner extension arms.

Figure 9 is -a sectional view on the line 9 9 of Figure l0 and illustrates how the inner end of one of the extension arms diverges and is frictionally held against the inner Walls of the outer casing.

arm, and,

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the inner end portion of one of the extension arms.

' The garment holder comprises the central body member of metallic frame 15, from opposite sides of which the curved main casing members 16 and 17 extend. The central body frame 15 is'formed from a piece of sheet metal which is bent into the shape of a U and comprises the side walls 18 and 19 and the base or bottoni wall 20. The exterior corners, where the walls 18 and 19 join with the base 20, are rounded, so that garments which are placed on the hanger shall not be caught on the sharp corners. All of the endsv of the side walls 18 and 19 are c ut off and rounded at their top corners.

Ears or lugs 21 and 22 extend outwardly from the top of the wall 18 of the central body member 15 at the central portion thereof. These lugs have their outer edges rounded so that they will not catch in the garments. They are arranged with a space between to permit the garment hanger hook 23 to be placed in the space. The garment hanger hook 23 is preferably formed of wire of suitable gauge and is secured in the central body member-15. The hook 23 is provided with a shank 24 which shank is held in upright position between the outwardly extendmg` ears or lugs 21 and 22. The hook 1s thereby prevented from moving laterally and getting out of position with respect to the central body member 15.

The garment 'hanger hook 23 is provided with the handle portion 25 so that the garment holder may be suspended from a hook, or other support. right angle portion 26 which is passed through apertures made in the walls 18 and 19 and is riveted or otherwise secured in the wall 19. The shank 24 turns into the right angle portion 26 with a curve so that garments will not be caught and injured.

he curved metallic extension casings 16 and 17 are stalnpings formed, as shown in the drawings, from single pieces. of metal.

' These casings 16and 17 also have rounded edges so that the garments and apparel will not be caught on sharp corners. The curved metallic extension casings 16'and 17 are connected to the central body member 15 by means of the metallic pivot rods 27 and 28, respectively, which latter are provided with rounded heads. The pivot rods 27 and 28 are passed through apertures made through the walls 18 and 19, respectively, of the een- '7 tral body portion 15 and also the side walls The shank 24 has a lower of the casings 16 and 17, respectively, and

are suitably riveted to the side walls 18 and y 19 of the body member 15.

Each of the casing members 16 and 17 are provided with side walls 29 and 30, respectively, the top wall 31 and inwardly extending flan es7 ledges orv run-ways 32 and 33 opposite t e top wall 31. The inner lower ends of the side walls 29 and 30 are cut off and rounded.

The inwardly extending flanges, ledges or run-ways are separated by the air space 34. The side walls 29 and 30 are parallel, and the top wall 31 and the inwardly extending flanges 32 and 33 are substantially concentric to one another except that at the ends of the inwardly extending vflanges, ledges or runways 32 and 33 there are up-turned portions 35 and 36 which are used to prevent the extension arms from becoming disengaged from the casings.

The curved metallicQextension arms 37 and 38 are stamped from single pieces of metal and formed as shown in the drawings. They are telescopically and frictionally engaged in the interior of the extension members or casings 16 and 17.

Each of the extension arms 37 and 38 comprises sidewalls 39 and 40 and the top wall 41, respectively. The walls 39 and 40 of each'oll the arms 37 and 38 are provided at their inner portions with notches 42 and 43, respectively. These notches are preferably placed opposite to one another in the side walls 39 and 40 and leave depending wall portions 44 and near the inner ends of the walls 39 and 40, respectively.

The notches 42 and 43 are cut in the walls 39 and 40 a sulicient distance from the ends thereof to permit the wall portions 44 and 45 to have their proper lexure in` order to perform their functions when in frictional contact with the side walls 29 and 30 of the casing members.

The wall portions 46 and 47 of the Walls 39 and 40, respectively, on the other side of the notches 42 and 43, have their lower ends extending below the ends of the wall portions 44 and 45. The walls 39 and 40, except for the portions 44 and 45, are parallel. The wall portions 44 and 45 diverge andfextend laterally from the top wall 41. The wall-s 39 and 40 are gradually curved and tapered except that at the wall portions 46 and 47 there are relatively sharp declines toward the inner ends of the arms 37 and 38, as shown particularly in Figure 8.

The outer ends of the extension arms 37 and 38 are provided with detents 48 and 49, respectively. These are for the purpose of grasping the extension arms to move them to the places desired in the casings 16 and 17.

The upturned portions 35 and 36 of the inturned flanges or ledges 32 and 33 cause the outer extremities of the casings 16 and 17 to be smaller than the inner extremities of the extension arms 37 and 38, so that the extension arms 37 and 38 when arranged at their outermost positions in the casings 16 and 17, will not fall therefrom, nor can they be passed or withdrawn therefrom, but are permanently held in place.

In the center of the lower wall 2O of the central metallic frame at each of the ends thereof, detents 5() and 51 arel punched up. The det-ents fit. in the open air spaces 34 between the flanges or ledges 32 and 33 when the casing members 16 and 17 are brought down against the bott-om wall 20. The flanges or ledges 32 and 33 rest against the intervening portions of the bottom wall. By this means the casings 16 and 17 are held in snug and lirm relationship with the central frame when the easings are in extended position.

As will be seen from the foregoing description of the construction of the garment holder, it may be opened by swinging the casing members 16 and 17 on the pivot rods 27 and 28. In swinging, the casing members are permitted to rotate within the central frame member 15 because the inner lower corners of the side walls 29 and 30 have been rounded.

When the casing members 16 and 17 have been brought down, swinging on the pivot rods 27 and 28 and brought to rest on the bottom wall 20, their tops form a curved surface upon which to hang the garments or apparel.

In case it is desired to have a longer hanger than would be secured by merely extending the casing members 16 and 17 the extensions 37 and 38, which vare telescopically secured within the casings 16 and 17 may be fully extended to any desired position, or any intermediate position required to t the garments to be hung.

lt will readily be seen that because of the diverging and flaring of the wall portions 44 and 45 that when the extension arms 37 and 38 are placed within the casings 16 and 17, the wall portions 44 and 45 thereof are in compression. As the extension-arms 37 and 38 are moved along the interior of the casings to the positions desired, the wall portions 44 and 45 in frictional contact with the I interior faces of the walls 29 and 30 offer resistance which is suflicient to hold and maintain the parts together except as force is applied to separate them.

During the movement of the extension arms 37 and 38, and while the divergent wall portions 44 and 45 are pressing against the as they will go, the inner edges of the arms f contact with the pivot rods 27 and 28. lVhen the extension arms have been pulled out as far as they will go, the downwardly extending edges ofthe depending wall portions 46 and 47 ride upon and fit snugly for approximately theirentire length against the inner faces of the upturned portions 35 and 36 of the inturned run-ways or flanges 32 and -the shoulders of a coat.

It will be understood that the casings and the extension arms are so fitted together because of their Various features which have been described, that slippage of the members one with the other is prevented. The flaring wall portions, the depending wall portions and the upturned run-wayportions, together with the inturned bottom wall portions, are all so constructed and proportioned that the members of the hanger are maintained in any position desired until sufficient force be applied to move them.

When the garment hanger is not to be used and is to be put away or transported, it may be folded into a small compass as shown in Figure 5. Inforder to thus. fold it, the extension arms 37 and 38 are moved into the casing members 16 and 17 until the inner edges of the extension arms come in contact with the pivot rds 27 and 28, respectively.

The extension arms are then rotated on the pivot rods 27 and 28 and are placed in an upright position, meeting, as is shown in Figure 5. The handle 23 remains inthe upright What I claim and desire to secure by I'Jet.-

ters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a folding garment hanger, a central body frame, two casing members extending from opposite sides thereof and pivotally secured thereto, an extension arm slidably and frictionally engaged in each of said casing members, said extension arms being adapted to be held at any position desired within said easing members, each of the walls of said extension arms at the inner ends thereof being laterally divergent for a relatively short distance, the side walls of the extension arms each being provided with notches whereby said side walls of said inner portion of said extension arms have increased resiliency.

2. In a folding garment hanger, a central body frame, casing members extending from opposite sides thereof and pivotally secured thereto, an extension arm engaged in each of said casing members, said extension arms having side walls, each of said side Walls having a notchtherein with a divergent Wall portion at one side of the notch and a dependent wall' portion at the otherside of said notch, said extension arms being adapted to be held at any position desired Within said casing members.

3. In a folding garment hanger,a oentral body frame, casingmembers extending `from opposite sides thereof and pivotally secured thereto, an extension arm engaged in each of said casing members, said extension arms having side Walls, each of said sidewalls having a notch therein With a divergent Wall portion at one side of the notch and a dependentrwall portion at the other side or' said notch, said extension arms being adapted to be held at any position desired within said casing members, said divergent Wallportions engaging the side Walls of said casing members and the dependent Wall portions, preventing the removal of 'said extension arms from said casing members.

In Witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 26th day of J une, A. D., 1928.

GEORGE F. MCGILL. 

